Kylie Minogue “was so lucky”, Bruce Springsteen was able to “dance in the dark” and Sting could “walk on  the moon.” And its all thanks to a Melbourne Man. Natural therapist Ian Thomas, has been treating the world’s most popular music entertainers, such as Kylie, Sting, Fleetwood Mac, INXS and Springsteen.

From aches and pains to sore throats, Mr Thomas, is called upon to treat the performers who often need a massage before the night’s show.The father of three, who works from his centre at Box Hill, said the top British band Eurythmics, continually flew him to Sydney during their recent Australian tour to treat guitarist Dave Stewart’s back.  “I had to set up an exercise program for Dave,” he said.Mr Thomas, who used to be an agent for bands such as Little River Band before he became a natural therapist, said he often works in a room backstage massaging and treating each performer before the concert begins.

Naturopath to the Rich & Famous
As Published in New Idea 12^th October 1991

Melbourne naturopath Ian Thomas is not starry-eyed over big-name performers, mainly because he has seen many of them  including Jimmy Barnes and Kylie Minogue, stretched out on his massage table, naked and vulnerable.  Visiting performers such as Dave Stewart, Annie Lennox, Jon Bon Jovi, Howard Jones and Leo Sayer have also put themselves in Ian’s hands to loosen up before a concert.

Ian has gained an enviable reputation in the music world and his name is listed under “Medicine” in a directory given to musicians when they arrive in Melbourne.  He is also praised for his secret herbal medicine which relaxes overstrained vocal cords.  No Newcomer to the world of showbiz, in the Seventies Ian managed the Spirit booking agency and looked after such acts as Hush and Little River Band before becoming a qualified naturopath.

Ian generally goes backstage before a concert to treat his clients and says each person is after something different.  “In some ways I guess the massage is a warm-up and I give them a  lot of energy,” he says.  “Sting gets a jet lag feeling just before a show, so I go backstage and give him a one-hour massage each night.”  “Annie Lennox has a massage to try to help her nerves. She’s very sensitive and highly strung, and if you’re talking about stage nerves, she’s got it."